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Technical Services and the 8Rs Canadian Library Human Resource Study Allison Sivak Canadian Library Association May 23, 2007
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Previous Research Wilder (2002) noted: hires for tech services jobs in ARL libraries dropped 46%, 1985-2000 23% of all hires in 1985 10% of all hires in 2000 1980: 36% of new professionals filled tech services positions 2000: 12% Compared to 40% of new profs filling public services positions Wilder suggests: fundamental shift in staffing priorities of academic libraries away from professional tech services / cataloguing
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Deeker (2006) hypothesed: The negative trend in demand for technical services jobs had reversed. There is a marked increase in the demand for computer skills. Conclusion: not able to meaningfully measure Entry-level technical services jobs are rare. 22.6% of postings neither required / preferred experience Technical services jobs are hard to fill. More reposts More ads for temporary / part time positions Fewer ads requiring MLIS Found more reposts only
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Methods Individual Survey Librarians (n=539) Library Technicians (n=377) Selected those who agree they “frequently” perform activities of Cataloguing, database management and organization of information resources; metadata schemes; OPACs
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Length of Time in Career Librarians New entrants: 22% Mid-career: 27% Senior: 51% Library Technicians New entrants: 20% Mid-career: 34% Senior: 46%
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Career Level
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Job Functions: Technical Services
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Job Functions: Collections
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Job Functions: Public Service and Outreach
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Job Functions: IT
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Job Functions: Administration and Management
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Job Functions: Professional Development / Participation
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Staff Job Values and Job Opportunities to Exercise Values
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Librarians agreeing their education, training, skills, and experience that: Allows them to perform at their jobs: 82% Makes them overqualified for job: 21% Qualified to move into a higher level: 65%
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Librarians’ Training & Career Interests Interested in training for: Technology skills: 70% Management skills: 53% Business skills: 39% Interested in more resp position: 41% Agreeing organization provides “adequate” training opps: 51%
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MLIS Assessment New professionals who agree MLIS program provided them with the necessary skills in areas of: General: 64% Problem-solving: 50% IT: 23% Management: 19% Leadership: 12% Business: 54%
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MLIS Assessment New professionals agreeing MLIS provided them with a realistic picture of: Library work: 49% Library work in my sector: 37%
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“Compared to 5 Years Ago, My Job is Currently More…”
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Summary Variety of job functions of librarians and technicians: tech services, collection development / management, adult services, liaison, database maintenance, administration and management Most overlap between librarians and technicians in areas of: Cataloguing, database mgmt, org of info resources, metadata schemes, OPACs Creation and maintenance of bibliographic records Collection development, evaluation and management Adult services Library systems, hardware, software support
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Staff Workplace Values Librarians value: use of IT skills new project opportunities professional development variety in work participation in larger decision-making dynamic and changing environment challenging work respect low stress adequate work-life balance Technicians value: use of IT skills professional development variety in work participation in larger decision-making dynamic and changing environment challenging work
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Workplace Values Closest Matches Librarians IT skills Task variety New project opportunities Performing leadership role Dynamic & changing environment Fair and equitable treatment Good relationship w/ para staff Library Technicians IT skills Task variety Supervising others Motivating others Managing service / dept Leadership role opportunities Equitable treatment
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Gaps in Values and Workplace / Position Provision Librarians’ largest gaps: supervision larger decision-making manageable workload stress salary respect Technicians’ largest gaps: ability to grow & learn new skills larger decision-making manageable workload salary respect
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Questions? allison.sivak@ualberta.ca
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